Buy a funeral plan online
Buying a funeral plan online is one of the simplest ways to plan ahead; no appointments, no sales pressure and no hidden fees.
In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know, from why an online funeral plan can make sense, to how to buy one safely and with confidence, in just a few simple steps.
Why buy a funeral plan online?
Buying a funeral plan online offers a number of advantages verses purchasing over the phone or in person. For many, it's the quickest and most straightforward option.
1. Convenience - buy at any time
Unlike over the phone or in branch, buying online means you can research, compare and purchase at a time that suits you, whether that's during your lunch break or late at night.
Simplicity's online funeral plan service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2. No sales pressure
Buying online puts you in control. There's no sales representative guiding the conversation and no pressure to make a decision before you're ready.
While responsible providers will never apply undue pressure, some less scrupulous providers in the past have used tactics over the phone to push you towards a decision.
Buying online removes this risk entirely, allowing you to research and purchase entirely on your own terms.
3. Compare funeral plans at your own pace
Online purchasing allows you to compare providers, prices and what's included in your own time. This could make it easier to ensure you're choosing the right funeral plan for your needs and budget.
4. Instant confirmation
Once purchased, your funeral plan documentation is confirmed immediately, giving you and your family peace of mind straight away, with no waiting for paperwork to arrive in the post.
5. A clear, transparent process
As with other methods, buying online means every detail - pricing, what's included, cancellation terms and payment options - is clearly presented before you commit. There are no surprises and nothing buried in small print.
6. Secure & regulated
Purchasing a funeral plan online with a provider like Simplicity Cremations is as safe as any other regulated financial product purchased online, with the added consumer protection of the FSCS should anything ever go wrong.
How to buy a funeral plan online (step-by-step)
No two buy online journeys will be exactly the same, however all will require certain steps to be carried out; personal details, who the funeral plan is for and payment information.
To give you a feel for the process, here's an example of how a typical Simplicity Cremations online purchase journey might look. Your experience may vary slightly depending on your individual answers and circumstances.
About the plan:
- How would you like to buy the plan? Over the phone or continue online?
- You’re buying a direct cremation funeral plan. Confirmation that you’re buying a direct cremation funeral plan without a service
- Who are you buying a plan for today? Yourself of someone else?
Add your details:
- Do you live in Great Britain? Our funeral plans are only available for those living in mainland England, Wales and Scotland
- Your name and date of birth. These details will be included on your plan
- Your contact details. Phone number, email and home address
- Do any of the following apply to you? To establish whether a funeral plan is suitable for you we ask some key questions, i.e. ‘do you need help making financial decisions’ and ‘can you afford the plan’
- Would you like a nominated representative? A nominated representative is someone who is aware of the plan so when the time comes they can either contact the provider or pass on the details to the next of kin / executor
- Check your funeral plan details. Check the personal details you have put in thus far (you can edit if required)
Payment:
- How would you prefer to pay? Pay upfront in a single sum or via monthly instalments?
- Enter your bank details. Either pay for your funeral in a single payment or set up monthly direct debit
- Confirmation your funeral plan is set up. Your funeral plan certificate and all the necessary details are emailed to you
The entire buy a funeral plan online process can be completed in just a few short minutes.
Is it safe to buy a funeral plan online?
Yes, buying a funeral plan online through a regulated provider is very safe, offering the same transparency and security as purchasing over the phone.
FCA regulation
All UK funeral plan providers must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - meaning they’re legally required to be transparent about costs, treat customers fairly and safeguard all money paid into plans. This protection applies regardless of whether you buy online or over the phone.
Your money is protected
All funds paid into a Simplicity Cremations funeral plan are held in a secure, independently managed trust - ring-fenced from the company's own finances and reviewed annually by an independent expert.
You're also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which provides a safety net should a provider ever go out of business.
Data security
Reputable providers such as Simplicity use encrypted, secure payment technology to protect your personal and financial data, the same level of security used by major retailers online.
Buy online vs over the phone
Buying online gives you a clear, written record of exactly what you've agreed to - something a phone call alone can’t always guarantee. With an online purchase, your plan documents, pricing and terms are confirmed instantly in writing.
Please note, there’s a 30-day cooling off period for single front payments and a 24-month cooling off period if paying via instalments where you can cancel your funeral plan without charge.
For those who know what they want, buying online is the quickest and most convenient option. For those with questions, or who prefer a more personal experience, our team is always on hand by phone.
In short, buying a funeral plan online is safe and secure.
What to look for when buying a funeral plan online?
Not all funeral plans are created equal. Before committing to a plan, here are the key things to check:
FCA authorised
Only buy from an FCA-authorised provider. This ensures your money is protected, pricing is transparent and the provider is held to strict standards of conduct.
You can verify any provider's authorisation status directly on the FCA register.
What's included and what isn't
The headline price doesn't always tell the whole story. Check exactly what is included as standard; such as collection of the deceased, crematorium fees, and return of ashes - and just as importantly, what isn't.
Some providers charge additional fees for services others include as standard, so dig into the detail.
Cancellation terms & cooling off period
All regulated funeral plans must offer a 30-day cooling-off period (or 24 months if paying via monthly instalments) during which you can cancel for a full refund. After this period, cancellation fees apply and these vary significantly between providers, ranging from £0 to £350. Check the specific terms before you commit.
How your funds are held
Ensure your money is held in an independent trust, separate from the provider's own finances. This ring-fences your money and ensures it is protected regardless of what happens to the business.
Customer reviews
A strong, consistent Trustpilot or Feefo rating acquired over time is one of the most reliable indicators of a provider that communicates well and delivers on its promises.
Look beyond the overall score and read recent reviews and look for consistency in the feedback.
Crematorium coverage
Check whether the provider owns and operates its own crematoria or relies on third-party facilities. Simplicity Cremations, for example, operates an extensive network of 45 owned crematoria across the UK, meaning there's a good chance a crematorium local to you is already within their network, giving you greater certainty over where the cremation will take place.
In contrast, some providers such as Aura Funerals don’t operate any of their own crematoriums and thus are reliant on third-parties.
Knowing what to look for before you buy makes the decision significantly easier and ensures the plan you choose genuinely meets your needs, not just your budget.
Should I always buy a funeral plan online?
For most people, buying a funeral plan online is the quickest and most convenient option. However, it isn't always the right choice for everyone.
If you're comfortable using the internet, clear on what a direct cremation funeral plan includes and ready to commit, buying online is a great option - available 24/7, with instant confirmation.
However, if any of the following apply, purchasing over the phone or in branch may be a better fit:
- You have questions about how a funeral plan works - a knowledgeable adviser can walk you through the details, explain what's included and help you choose the right plan for your circumstances
- You want to weigh up the pros and cons - speaking to someone directly can help you feel more confident in your decision, particularly for a purchase of this significance
- You're not comfortable buying online - whether due to unfamiliarity with the internet or simply a preference for speaking to a real person, phone and in-branch options are there for a reason
At Simplicity Cremations, our team is available to help however you'd prefer to buy - whether that's online in your own time, or over the phone with one of our friendly advisers.
Buy a Simplicity Cremations funeral plan online
If you're looking for a low-cost, no-fuss funeral plan you can buy online in minutes, Simplicity Cremations could be a good choice.
As one of the UK's leading direct cremation providers, we offer transparent, affordable funeral plans from just £1,799 - with no hidden fees.
Our funeral plan online purchase journey takes just a few minutes to complete, with instant confirmation and full plan documentation sent directly to your inbox.
With 45 owned crematoria across the UK, there's a good chance we have a facility local to you, giving you and your family greater certainty and peace of mind.
Our funeral plans are regulated and FSCS protected, meaning your money is safe, secure and ring-fenced in an independently managed trust.
Ready to plan ahead? Buy a Simplicity Cremations funeral plan online today from just £1,799.
Buy a funeral plan online FAQs:
What happens after I buy a funeral plan online?
Once your purchase is confirmed you'll be sent all the necessary documentation via email (to the email to specified during the application process). This usually happens with a couple of minutes.
Can I customise my funeral plan online?
At Simplicity it isn’t possible to customise funeral plans, as we only specialise in providing direct cremations.
However, providers such as Dignity, who offer a range of different funeral options (attended cremation, burial, direct cremation) allow you to customise your funeral plan. For example, you could include a limousine and or pallbearers.
Can I buy a funeral plan online for someone else?
Yes, you can absolutely purchase a funeral plan online for someone else, such as a parent or spouse.
Is buying a funeral plan online better than over 50s life insurance?
In reality, buying a funeral plan online is no better or worse than buying a guaranteed over 50s life insurance. You'll still need to input your personal, payment and policy details. However, whilst the majority of funeral plan providers offer a buy online facility, this is less common for over 50s life insurance providers.
The key is understanding how the two products differ before you commit. We've put together a dedicated guide - funeral plan or over 50s life insurance - to help you make the right choice with confidence.
Can I cancel a funeral plan bought online?
Yes, cancelling an online funeral plan works in exactly the same way as any other purchase method. All regulated plans include a 30-day cooling off period (or 24 months if paying via instalments) during which you can cancel for a full refund with no penalty.
After this period, a cancellation fee will apply (the amount varies by provider), so it's worth checking the specific terms before you commit.
Can I pay for a funeral plan online in instalments?
Yes, as with purchasing a funeral plan over the phone or in branch you can choose to pay upfront in a single lump sum or via monthly instalments.
Usually, paying in monthly instalments will end up being more expensive. For example, a Simplicity funeral plan costs £1,799 upfront, however £1,899 when paying via instalments (24 months x £79.12).
Do all funeral plan providers offer a buy online service?
Yes, most providers now offer the convenience of a buy online facility. As mentioned at Simplicity we offer an online purchase journey, as do Pure Cremation and Co-op for example, although Avalon don't.
How much does a funeral plan cost online?
Buying online won't cost you any more than purchasing over the phone or in branch - the price is the same regardless of how you buy. The main cost variation to be aware of is your chosen payment method; paying via monthly instalments will typically cost more in total than a single upfront payment.
